Global Wales Campaign Invests £72,000 to Build University Links with Karnataka, India

As Wales positions itself as the international education centre, the recent numbers portray a growing international student community in Wales, with official government leaders of the country assuring that it is indeed a friendly study destination. According to official Higher Education Statistics Agency statistics, Wales hosted some 27,795 international students during the academic year 2023-2024, the fastest increase in student numbers among the UK nations during the period 2020-2021-2023.

In a pre‑recorded awareness day video message, Vikki Howells, the minister for further and higher education in Wales, encouraged international students to consider studying in Wales and assured them that they would receive a friendly welcome. She explained that Wales was a place where students would truly belong. Howells added that universities and colleges in Wales provided world‑class academic learning, supported by modern facilities and research opportunities designed to prepare students for success in the wider world.

In her remarks, Vikki Howells emphasised Wales’s striking landscape, its academic excellence, and the warmth of its communities. She explained that international students added vibrancy to campuses and enriched the cultural diversity of Welsh universities. She noted that their presence helped to create the lively atmosphere that made Welsh universities and colleges exciting places in which to learn and develop.

Wales launched intensified campaigns with some practical steps. Last month, £72,000 was awarded under the Global Wales campaign university recruitment program to build stronger relationships with universities in Karnataka, India. This is part of Wales' intention to internationalise its universities and create stronger cross-border higher education links with nations where demand for UK education is on the rise.

In parallel, there was a public announcement by the Welsh education secretary Lynne Neagle that Wales would not impose any burden on international student fee income, thereby slamming the coffin on the now-controversial proposition of a 6% import tax first floated in an immigration white paper. The announcement by Times Higher Education (THE) regarding the international student levy decision for Wales had garnered favourable responses from leaders in the sector who argued that it would allow Wales to remain competitive in relation to England and other nations of the UK.

Universities Wales, the topmost entity of higher education, states that international awareness of Wales has increased by more than 100% in the past three years. Its international strategy accents the marketing of studying in Wales to international students with quality teaching, strong research networks, and a supportive environment. With evidence showing the University of South Wales as the highest host of international students with 6,635 enrollees in 2023/24, followed closely by Cardiff University with 6,480 and Swansea University with 4,780, the newfound status of 'international education hub' is manifestly upheld by these three as they show how Welsh universities in UK are expanding their thrust towards internationally, thus distinctively being a part of the higher educational export agenda of Wales.

By eliminating fee charges and supporting recruitment campaigns, the Welsh government's stated commitment to international students further strengthens its resolve to create global educational pathways for Wales. Academic excellence, cultural diversity, and public interest in the presence of international students seem to sum up the recent surge in popularity with students from India and the USA. As Wales broadens its international horizon, the message is loud and clear: international students enrich Welsh campuses and communities Welsh government. Not only are they places of study, but the universities are live communities where foreign students thrive, contribute, and feel at home.

Editor’s Note

According to the most current statistics available, Wales is becoming a major hub for international education. Enrolment figures of over 27,000 international students in 2023 to 2024 have presented evidence of the fastest increase in international student enrolment among UK nations. This showing complements the government's commitment to welcoming international students and the allure of Welsh universities. Wales offers more than academic excellence, as Minister Vikki Howells explained. She clarified that the country combines a unique cultural environment to go along with modern facilities, research opportunities, and supportive communities. As she made clear, in addition to their academic contributions, international students bring diversity and energy to campus life. The Welsh Government has also taken several proactive measures geared towards enhancing international relations. Notably, while Education Secretary Lynne Neagle declared there would be no tax on international student fees, the Global Wales campaign has made funding available for collaborations with Indian universities. These actions reflect a distinct pathway: increasing Wales's access to international education but keeping study costs low and competitive. Universities Wales reports that in just three years, awareness of international Wales has increased by another hundred per cent. Thousands of international students are evidence of Wales's worldwide reach, as was the case with Swansea University, Cardiff University, and the University of South Wales.

Skoobuzz mentions that these measures strengthen international higher education as open, diverse, and globally connected. Wales conveys a clear message: its universities are not simply places of study, but welcoming communities where international students can grow, contribute, and feel at home.

FAQs

1. Why is Wales positioning itself as a hub for international education?

Wales is strengthening its global education pathways to attract more overseas students. HESA statistics show that Wales hosted 27,795 international students in 2023/24, the fastest increase among UK nations since 2020/21. This growth reflects both academic excellence and the country’s reputation as a welcoming study destination.

2. How has the Welsh Government responded to international student growth?

Minister Vikki Howells recorded a video message inviting students to study in Wales, UK, assuring them of a warm welcome and emphasising safety, rights, and supportive procedures. She explained that Welsh universities combine world‑class teaching with modern facilities and research opportunities, preparing students for success in the global economy.

3. What impact do international students have on Welsh universities?

International students enrich campus life by contributing to the cultural diversity of Welsh universities. Their presence creates a vibrant atmosphere, strengthens community ties, and supports the public interest in higher education that is inclusive and globally connected.

4. What wider initiatives are being taken to expand Wales’s international reach?

The Global Wales campaign university recruitment programme recently announced £72,000 funding to build stronger ties with institutions in Karnataka, India. This reflects Wales’s strategy for cross‑border higher education and its focus on regions where demand for UK education is rising, particularly among students from India and the United States.

5. Has Wales introduced a levy on international student fees?

No. Education Secretary Lynne Neagle confirmed that Wales would not impose a levy on international student fees, ruling out the 6% charge first suggested in the immigration white paper. The international student levy Wales decision Times Higher Education (THE) was welcomed by sector leaders, who argued that avoiding extra costs protects fairness, safeguards student rights, and maintains competitiveness against England and other UK nations.

6. What do the latest figures show about international student numbers in Wales?

HESA data confirms that the growth of international students is significant. The University of South Wales hosted 6,635 overseas students in 2023/24, Cardiff University welcomed 6,480, and Swansea University enrolled 4,780. These figures demonstrate how Welsh universities UK are expanding their global reach and contributing to the higher education export Wales agenda.

7. What future steps are planned to support overseas students in Wales?

By ruling out fee levies and investing in recruitment campaigns, the Welsh government's support for overseas students shows its commitment to building Wales' global education pathways. Future steps include expanding partnerships, maintaining safe and fair procedures, and reinforcing the public interest by ensuring international students feel they truly belong in Wales.